Lexical Summary taphash: To be thick, to be stupid, to be dull Original Word: טָפַשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be fat A primitive root; properly, apparently to be thick; figuratively, to be stupid -- be fat. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be gross NASB Translation covered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טָפַשׁ verb be gross (Late Hebrew Hithpa`el grow stupid, and derivatives; Aramaic טְפֵשׁ, for Hebrew שׁמן Isaiah 6:11, Ithpe`el be stupid; compare Assyrian ‰apâšu, be abundant, large, GuyJAS 1883, Août-Sept. 189) — metaphor טָפַשׁ כַּחֵלֶב לִבָּ֑ם Psalm 119:70 their heart is gross, like fat. Topical Lexicon Term Overview and Semantic Field טָפַשׁ describes a condition of moral and spiritual insensitivity—an inner dullness or callousness that resists God’s truth. The image is that of a heart coated with layers of fat, making it unresponsive to conviction or correction. Biblical Context: Psalm 119:70 “Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law.” (Psalm 119:70) The Psalmist contrasts the numb, unfeeling heart of the wicked with his own vibrant delight in the Torah. The verse sits inside the stanza beginning with the Hebrew letter Teth (Psalm 119:65-72), where the singer celebrates the goodness of God’s discipline. The hardened opponents trust their own devices; the servant of the LORD trusts the Word. Exegetical Insights 1. Semantic Parallelism: “Hard and callous” (טָפַשׁ) stands opposite “delight.” The juxtaposition highlights that true spiritual sensitivity is inseparable from treasuring Scripture. Theological Significance • Hard-heartedness is a recurring biblical indictment (Exodus 7:13; Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 6:52). טָפַשׁ adds the nuance of voluntary stupefaction—sinful choices fostering spiritual numbness. Historical and Cultural Background Hebrew anthropology locates thought, emotion, and will in the “heart.” Ancient readers understood “fat-hearted” as a vivid metaphor: just as thick fat muffles touch, so self-satisfaction muffles conscience. Wisdom literature often critiques such complacency (Proverbs 28:14; Ecclesiastes 10:2). Ministry Application • Self-Examination: Believers are urged to watch for creeping callousness—excusing sin, disregarding conviction, neglecting Scripture. Related Scriptures and Themes Deuteronomy 32:15 – Prosperity leading to spiritual thickening. Isaiah 6:9-10 – Ears dull and hearts calloused. Ezekiel 11:19 – Promise of an undivided heart of flesh. Mark 3:5 – Jesus grieved at hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:18-19 – Darkened understanding due to hardness. Hebrews 3:13 – Exhort one another so none are hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Conclusion טָפַשׁ captures the peril of an unfeeling heart and magnifies the blessedness of delighting in God’s law. Psalm 119:70 thereby calls every generation to cultivate spiritual sensitivity through humble, joyful submission to the Word. Forms and Transliterations טָפַ֣שׁ טפש ṭā·p̄aš taFash ṭāp̄ašLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 119:70 HEB: טָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם NAS: Their heart is covered with fat, KJV: Their heart is as fat as grease; INT: is covered fat their heart 1 Occurrence |
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